Curriculum

Bell School uses the standards-driven curriculum of the Chicago Public Schools and the State of Illinois. Departments modify the curriculum to address the needs of the children they serve. The curriculum will be discussed in depth at the teacher-parent breakfast held during the first weeks of school.

Fine Arts

Students have an art class and a music class once a week. In addition, there are various fine arts assemblies offered throughout the school year.

Computer Lab

The computer lab is available to all students. Students receive instruction on the use of computers with class project work designed by their teacher and the computer instructor; they can arrange additional computer time to work on projects at recess and lunch. Students must have the Acceptable Use Policy attachments A, B and C (these forms are sent home at the beginning of the school year) completed before they are allowed to use the Internet.

Language

Students in the K-8th Grade Neighborhood and 1st-6th Grade Options programs receive instruction in Chinese each week. All students receive instruction in sign language (ASL), as long as instructors are available.

Physical Education

Students have gym class at least once a week. On gym days they are expected to wear gym shoes or sneakers, and the gym "uniform" of a white or red shirt. Bell School "spirit wear" (with the Bell logo) is acceptable for gym days.

Library

All Bell School students are encouraged to check out books weekly. Students in grades K-5 are provided regular library time with instruction/assistance from the librarians. Students in grades 6 through 8 use the library on a flexible schedule. School library books circulate for one week.

All students are expected to have and use a Chicago Public Library card. Recreational reading is encouraged through incentive programs.

Field Trips

Classes take field trips throughout the school year. A field trip permission slip for each bus trip must be on file for child to participate. Parents are often asked to volunteer to chaperone field trips. Most field trips have associated fees; financial assistance is available to families for whom these fees are a hardship.  Students in 6th and 7th grades across all departments participate in overnight trips in the spring in addition to the trips outlined below.

Atwood. Fifth graders in all three departments at Bell attend the annual trip to the Atwood Outdoor Environmental Center near Rockford, IL. The Atwood center offers a comprehensive outdoor education program led by professional staff. Students stay in dormitories and work on various environmental projects during the three-day visit; it is a well-organized and memorable time for the children.

Washington, DC. Eighth graders in all three departments attend a three-day trip to our nation's seat of government. The trip includes sight-seeing as well as meetings with our senators and representatives. The students also visit the Arlington National Cemetery, the Smithsonian Institution, Galluadet University, and the Holocaust Museum. Students stay at a hotel in the Washington area.  Students raise funds throughout the year to help cover the costs of the trip.

Fees

A few school-related activities have fees associated with them:

• The required homework assignment notebook costs $5.00.
• There are fees associated with field trips; these fees vary with the trip. 
• Individual classes may request a small fee for items related to that grade level. 
• The 5^th, 6th and 7th grade overnight trips and the 8^th grade trip to Washington, DC have significant fees, which are partially covered by funds raised by the students throughout the year.

The Local School Council allocates funds each year to provide financial assistance to families for whom these fees are a hardship. Parents should contact their child's teacher if any difficulties arise.

Testing

The Illinois Student Achievement Test (ISAT) is a state mandated exam given in March. Third, fifth, and eighth grades take Reading, Math, and Writing. Fourth and seventh grades take Social Studies and Science. The results are used to gauge student performance on a school-by-school basis in the annual school report card.